Page 92 of The Attraction File

It was warm and felt good. I had kept my distance for so long from anyone but my mother that I forgot how comforting it was to feel the gentle touch from someone else.

“Thank you, Edgar. I’m sorry for being so cold to you for all these years. For trying to avoid you. I knew you were a good person and still, I stayed away.”

He got up and came to sit next to me. Tingles crawled over my skin as he tipped my chin so I would look at him. “No, I should be sorry. You are clearly the most beautiful woman in the world. Hands down. If there was a contest you wouldn’t even have to enter, they would give you the prize just for existing.” He grinned, his eyes skating over my every feature.

“It’s not just about looks, Edgar. I wasn’t talking about—”

His finger touched my lips to stop me. “I’m not just talking about your physical beauty, Evaleen. I meant in here too.” His finger left my lip and went to the middle of my chest. It was bare as I still had the wrap dress on and the V was wide. Uncomfortably wide. But the way Edgar touched me, the way his eyes lingered on me, I never felt more at ease.

“Clearly as you hold the title of Most Beautiful, I was too scared to get close to you. It was my fault for not being strong enough. But if you would have me, I promise to be strong and feel honored to walk beside you anywhere you want to go.” Edgar said.

“First a date and now this. Are you asking to go steady with me, Edgar?” I flickered my damp eyelids at him and made kissy noises.

He snickered. “Here I was being serious and you ruined it. Thanks, Evaleen.” With an exaggerated groan, Edgar rolled his eyes.

I laughed but stopped when I heard my mom from the kitchen. “Would you two kiss already. I can only pretend to make coffee for so long.”

The problem with living in a small apartment, not a lot of privacy.

“You heard the woman. I have learned in life to never disobey a mom.” Edgar leaned forward moving his hand behind my head.

Our lips gently glided toward each other until we were locked together. The kiss wasn’t passionate but sweet. He nipped at me and the tips of our tongues danced together. It was just what I needed after the emotional rollercoaster ride I had been on since he got here.

When he pulled away, I saw something change behind his eyes. A determination that I wouldn’t have expected.

“Here is the coffee.” My mother winked as she came out with a wooden tray of steaming mugs and various saucers and bowls. She set it down on the coffee table.

Someone at the door knocked and my mom jumped up, pulling her gray cardigan closer to her chest.

Edgar stood. “I’ll get it. You two head back into the kitchen. There are knives there if you need them, and take my phone.” He handed it to us which I was thankful for as my phone was in my bedroom.

We scurried off and held each other as we listened to him open the door and talk to whoever was there. After a minute, he came back in the room with a clear glass vase full of roses.

“Did you get me more flowers?” I asked.

“No. These are for you, Ms. Bechmann.”

My mom reached for them. “Please, call me Lucy. It must be from the guy who keeps sending me flowers.”

“You have someone sending you flowers?” Edgar’s brow crinkled.

“Yes, some past boyfriend who won’t tell me his name.” My mom smiled but then the revelation sunk in. She quickly put down the vase. “You don’t think it’s him, do you?”

“It might be. What does the card say?” Edgar reached in and pulled out the small envelope. He gave it to her and she opened it. After a few seconds, she lowered it.

“He still won’t tell me who he is but he wants to meet me.”

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